Air conditioning system and apparatus



l met., I4, I937'. R, A. BRAND 2,102,507

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed April 50, 1934 2 Shee'ts-Sheec l Dec. 14, 1937. R A, BRAND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed April 30, 1934 2 Sheets-Shea?I 2 Patented Dec'. 14,1937

. UNITED STATES Am CONDITIONING SYSTEMAND APPARATUS Robert A. Brand, washington, D. c., assignor of one-half to James A. Perley, Washington, D. C.

Application April so, 1934,

serial No. 123,251

4 cioims. v(ci. 2375i) Generically this invention relates to a heating unit for homes and the like, but it more particularly is directed to such a device designed to constitute an air conditioning unit.

One of the principal objects of this inventionV is the provision of a compact unit of this character constituting anair conditioning system to furnish hot Water for domestic use in additionA combining a generator or heating unit, a humidier assembly, and a fan mechanism, combined in a single cabinet as a composite unit, and means forA automatically controlling the various assemblies in accordance with predetermined temperature and humidity requirements.

A further important object of this invention is the provision of an air conditioning system combined as a single compact unit, automatically and synchronously controlled with respect to predetermined temperature and humidity requirements, designed to eliminate the expensive and excessive piping and boiler requirements heretofore' necessary and at the same time reducing fuel consumption'to a minimum.

Another object cf this invention is the provision of an air conditioning system combined in a single compact and inexpensive unit, including a generator or heating assembly comprising a unique water circulating, heat distributing and draft andiume vent systems tending to render the device noiseless and odorless in operation as well as increasing the heating capacity inversely withv the decrease in size of the unit; and a compact humidifier comprising a series of washer tubes'and a plurality of eliminator tubes for ltering the air and providing the desired humidity; and a fan mechanism for establishing circulation of the heated air, said units being automatically and synchronously controllable in accordance with predetermined temperature and humidity requirements.

Another object of this invention is the'pro'vision of ,an air conditioning apparatus-of this character including a generator adapted to eliminate the use of an independent boiler heretofore toits air conditioning requirements. Another object of this invention is to provide a unit of this character designed for the home, or

buildings where steam'or other heat is not prac-v ticable due to lack of space for boiler or circulawill become apparent as the decription proceeds,v

the invention resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter in theaccmpanying drawings, in which `like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several gures, of which:

Fig. l is aplan `view of theinvention with the `,cabinet partly in section.

mol'fully described and claimed, and f Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the generator partly in-section' .g` Fig. 3 isan end view of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail 'perspective showing the arrangement of the water tubes, air outlet, and iin plates. i

Y Fig.. 5 is a detail perspective view of the water eliminator and air puriiier tubes.

Fig. 6` is a detail of the air washer and humidifier tubes.

The .air conditioning systems with which I am vfamiliar have proven deficient in requiring cumbersome and costly apparatusnecessitating the operating costs in many instances being prohibitive, and it was, to, overcome such deciencies, andto provide an air conditioning unit or apparatus including a heating unit, a combined airv washer, purier and humidifier, and an air circulating fan mechanism, so designed that the several units could form a compact unit housed' within'a single casing or cabinet, materially reducing the Water capacity of the generator unit without decreasing the heating capabilities of the unit, and having the generator, humidier, fan mechanism, and gas supply individually and collectively automatically operable in accordance with predetermined temperature and humidity requirements, that I designed the air conditioning apparatus forming the subject matter of this invention,

In the illustrated embodiment of this invention there is shown my improved air conditioning unit vor apparatus A comprising heating unit or generator B, humidifier or scrubber and air iilter C,`

and aircirculating orian mechanism D. Said units or mechanisms B, C, and D are preferably housed in a casing or cabinet l.

` Generator The generator or heating mechanism Bicomprises, in the present instance, a rectangular re able manner withthe exposed endhof brner I is a,

gas supply pipe 8 extending from a source of supply, not shown, and mounted in said pipe adjacent its lower end is a hand valve 9 controlling the gas flow to said burner. An auxiliary or branch gas pipe I0 leads oil' from supply pipe 8 and extends downwardly through end wall 1 and terminates adjacent said burner 4 in pilot light burner II. Mounted in pipe I0 is the pilot hand control valve I2. A re box draft door I3 is suitably mounted in wall 1 adjacent its lower edge. The side walls I4 of fire box 2 adjacent their up- 'per edges are formed with thickened portions I5,

which if desired may be hollow constituting air pockets I6.

Suitably mounted in iirebox 2 is a hollow casing or water manifold I 1, the bottom wall |8 of which is preferably arcuate and forms the roof of the fire box. The upper or top wall I9 of said manifold, while in the present instance is shown flat, may be formed arcuate corresponding to wall I8 if desired, and is formed with a flange 28 adapted to seat on the upper edges of said re box to support member |1 in proper position and form a seal connection, as clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

Wall I9 is formed with a plurality of spaced openings 2| in each of which is swedged or otherwise suitably mounted a comparatively small water circulating tube 22. Suitably mounted on said tubes are a plurality of equi-spaced n or heat distributing plates 23. An upper water manifold or header 24 is adapted to be mounted on and supported by said tubes 22 and through which latter water circulation is established between the headers |1 and 24, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

While the number of water circulating tubes 22 and fin plates 23 will necessarily vary according to the size of the particular apparatus and air conditioning requirements, in the present instance the former areabout in number and the latter 42, and the Water capacity approximately 15 gallons as compared with to 200 of comparative systems now in use.

The water header 24 has mounted on opposite sides thereof an angle flange member 25 suitably secured by riveting, welding, or otherwise. Surmounting said header 24 is preferably a rectangular sheet metal gas fume header 26 formed at its lower edges with flanges 21 adapted to seat on flanges 25 to which it is bolted or otherwise suitably secured. Said fume header 26 is formed substantially central of its length with outlet opening 28 surrounded by vertical flange 29 over which is adapted to t gas outlet or draft flue pipe 30 adapted to extend through and above the top of casing I, 'as and for a purpose hereinafter v equi-spaced relation and interconnecting upper and lower water manifolds or headers I1 and 24. Mounted in each of said tubes 3| is a heat and gas fume flue tube 32 extending through the respective water manifolds I1 and 24 and effecting communication between re box 2 and fume header 26, so that the heated combustion gases from fire box 2 may be discharged into said fume header 26 from which they are vented by pipe 30. It will thus be seen that not only an even withdrawal of the gases from the fire box is effected but the gases passing through tubes 32l effect further heating of the water circulating through tubes 3| as will be clear without further discussion.

Extending through the top of casing I through fume head 26 and through the top wall of Water manifold or header 24 is a pipe 33, and on the upper end of which is suitably mounted and supported compression tank 34 for a purpose hereinafter appearing.

A main water supply pipe 35 with one end connected to a source of supply not shown extends downwardly and inwardly through end wall 8 and into water manifold I1 by means of which water is admitted to said generator B as will be well understood. A hand controlled valve 36 is mounted, in the present instance, at a point adjacent fume header 26, and adjacent said valve 36 is suitably mounted automatic water supply valve 31 and slightly spaced therefrom is relief valve 38 from which extends overflow or discharge pipe 39 to the sewer or other drainage system.

Mounted in supply pipe 35 adjacent its lower end is drain cock 40 by means of which drainage or emptying of the generator may be effected.

Suitably mounted in end 1 and extending within water manifold I1 is the gas valve and thermostatic control mechanism 4| connected to gas supply pipe 8 for maintaining positive temperature of the water in the generator in accordance with predetermined temperature requirements. Also suitably mounted in one end of water manfold 24 and communicating therewith is a combination altitude gauge and thermometer 42 for indicating the height of Water in the system and temperature thereof. Suitably mounted on casing adjacent thermostat 4| is surface thermostat 43 adapted to prevent operation of fan mechanism D when the Water in the generator is cold or until a predetermined temperature thereof has been reached.

Humidifier mechanism Adjacent generator B and in spaced relation with respect thereto is positioned the humidifier and air purifier unit or assembly C now to be described.

The humidifier and air filter mechanism C comprises a tubular water header 44 with its ends suitably supported on cleats or angle bar supports 45 riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the respective walls of casing and in substantially the same horizontal plane as the bottom of manifold 24. The lower side or bottom of header 44 is formed with a plurality of equispaced openings 46 through which are adapted to project the upper ends of humidifier tubes 41 a slight distance above the bottom of said header so that when water is admitted thereto uniform flow to the various tubes will be effected. Said' tubes 41 extend downwardly to a point adjacent the lower edge of casing and at points 48 spaced from their upper ends, the sides of the tubes facing the fan unit D are cut away as at 49 so as to provide in effect a series of scrubbing tubes for a purpose more fully hereinafter appearing. The lower ends of. said tubes 41 exf are staggered with respect to tubes 54. Tubes 54-64 are not connected with a water supply but are adapted to filter extraneous matter from the moisture laden air after passing the humidier tubes as will directly more fully appear.

The water supply to unit C or more particularly headers 4'4-44 is independent to that of unit B. A water supply pipe 55 has one end connected to main supply pipe 35 above valve 36 and the other is suitably connected to header 44 through casing I, as at 56. and a branch'pipe 51 similarly connects header 44' with pipe 55, whereby water is supplied to the humidifier assembly or tubes 41-41'. Said water supply is normally controlled by hydrostat 58 suitably'mounted in the room E or space to be heated and which controls the motor operated valve 59 mounted on supply pipe 55.

Electrical motor and fan assembly The electrical motor and fan assembly' or mechanism D comprises a frame 68 formed at each end with a flange 6I suitably connected to the respective sides of casing I spaced from the humidifier unit C, and includes a semicircular spider framework 62 in which centrally thereof is suitably mounted motor 63 and on the drive shaft 64 of which is mounted fan 65.

vl-Iiolted or otherwise secured tov the end 66 of casing I is a cabinet 18 containing circuit breaker, transformer T and relay H, and a threespeed switch and capacitator 61 containing threespeed switch and coil windings. Both 61and 18 are standard equipment. Service line 68 enters cabinet 18 and the positive or hot line being Y connected. to the transformer through circuit breaker, conductor 14, from said transformerto room thermostat 15, conductor 16, to bus bar A or connecting terminal in cabinet 18; conductor from bus bar A to surface thermostat 43,

conductor 19 to bus bar B in cabinet 18. Conductor 13 from bus bar B to the coil of relay H, and then to the other side of the transformer. The fan motor circuit comprises the conductor 8l from the high voltage side of the transformer to the coil windings of three-speed switch and capacitator 61, thence to motor 63, conductor 11 from motor 63, through the armature of the relay and back to the transformer, completing the fan circuit. Conductor 69 connects the secondary of the transformer to the hydrostat 58, conductor II to solenoid or motor operated valve 59, and

conductor 10 from valve 59 back to the transv former, completing the air washer circuit.

'Casing I intermediateA the generator mecha- -B and the end of the casing adjacent its 0top'gor upper end is connected with the room space or enclosure E to be heated by air duct or 'register 82 adjacent one end and the opposite .endof the enclosure to be heated is connected byair duct 83 with a rectangular air chamber 84 positioned adjacent the floor or lower edge of casing I and lconnected thereto' by the elongated duct 85 and air circulation through the apparatus and enclosure to be heated and recirculation thereof is eifected by fan mechanism D. l l

While the air conditioning system and pparatus has been described in connection with supplying an enclosure with heated air in winter, it is equally applicable as a cooling unit for supplying and circulating cool air through said enclosure in summer, and which maybe effected by simply utilizing the -generator as a cooling coil or element instead of a heating element.

Operation While the operation of the device would seem to be clear from the above description, it might be well to further state that opening of hand valve 36 allows automatic valve 31 to admit water to and effect filling of the generator to the proper level as indicated by altitude gauge 42 at which point the water is cut oli by said automatic valve 31. Automatic valve 31 is a spring type valve settable to admit water to the generator up to a predetermined pressure, that is, if ten pounds pressure equals the predetermined height of the water in the generator, said valve is set at ten pounds pressure, and when the indicator shows the water has reached such height, said valve will automatically cut off the ilow of water into the generator. When-the pressure falls below the set pressure the valve will automatically operate to admit water until the said pressure is again reached, when it will cut off as in the first instance. Assuming that the pilot is lighted, opening of hand valve 9 causes gas to flow through the thermostatic control valve mechanism 4I to burner 4 which is lighted by said pilot. When the water in the generator has reached a. predetermined temperature, say F., thermostat 43, if the temperature in the enclosure E is approximately 2 F. below the desiredtemperature, say 70 F., and thermostat 15 will automatically start fan 65 to operating which will continue until the desired room temperature is obtained, namely '70 F., when thermostat 15 will open the circuit to fan 65 and stop its operation until the temperature drops below 70F., at which point it will be operated as in the first instance.

lWith respect to the humidity control, assuming that the hydrostat 58 is set at 40% humidity, and when the humidity is below 38%, said hydrostat will open motor operated valve 59 thereby allowing water to ow into manifolds 44-44' and through tubes 41-41 to be ldirectly acted upon by the air blast from fan 65 eiecting scrubbing and moistening of the air to produce the desired humidity and will operate in this manner until the predetermined humidity has been attained in enclosure E, at which time hydrostat 58 will close said valve 59 and maintain the same 1 closed until the humidity falls below 40%, or other desired percent, whereupon it will open as in the first instance.

Further, whether the Afan is or is not in oper-I tion, when the temperature of the water in the generator is below F., thermostat 4I will open and allow gas to ilow to burner 4 to be ignited by pilot I I and burn until the water reaches a temperature of approximately F., at which the fan mechanism is washed by the continuous flow of .water passing through the humidiiler tubes and the excessmoisture and extraneous matter or dirt particles are extracted by adherence to the eliminator tubes as the air passes therethrough, and is heated as it passes through and between the heating tubes 22 and iin or heat distributing plates 23, said conditioned air passing upward and through upper air duct 82 to enclosure E and from said enclosure preferably at its opposite end through lower duct 83 into chamber 84 and through duct 85 into casing I for reconditioning as in the iirst instance and which recirculation of said air continues constant or intermittent according to temperature and humidity operating requirements.

From the above it is apparent that I have de- I 'size that various minor changes in details of construction, proportion and arrangement of parts, may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims without departing from or sacricing any of the principles of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire protected by Letters Patent is as set forth in the following claims:

1. An air conditioning apparatus comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, blower means within the casing for producing a circulation of air through said casing situated adjacent said inlet, a scrubbing and humidifying apparatus intercepting the path of said air, said apparatus including a series of open-faced water tubes and means for circulating water through the tubes for surface contact with the air, an eliminator dis- 2. An air conditioning apparatus comprising an., casing having an inlet and an outlet, blower,

means within 'the casing for producing a circulation of air through said casing situated' adiacent said inlet, a scrubbing and humidifying apparatus intercepting the path of said air, said apparatus including a series of open-,faced water tubes and means for circulating water through the tubes for -surface contact with the air. an eliminator disposed to the rear of the water tubes and in the lpath of the air leaving said tubes, said eliminatorl paratus within the casing and to the rear of the eliminator to' heat said tubes and the air after it..

has passed thereoverand prior to its discharge through said outlet, means for respectively controlling said, blower and heating apparatus in accordance .with temperature requirements and means for controlling said water circulating means in accordance with humidity requirements.

3. An air conditioning apparatus comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet', blower means within the casing for producing a circulation of air through said casing situated adjacent said inlet, a scrubbing and humidifying apparatus intercepting the path of said air, said apparatus including a series of open-faced water tubes and means for circulating water throughthe tubes for surface contact with the air, an eliminator d`isposed to the rear of the water tubes and in the path of the air leaving said tubes, said eliminator including a plurality of open-faced evaporating and cleaning tubes adapted to be impinged by the air passing through the casing, and a heating apparatus within the casing and to the rear of the eliminator to heat saidtubes, said heating apparatus 'including a series of vertically spaced plates extending transversely of the casing and forming series of superimposed heating passages, a plurality of hot water circulating tubes in connection with the plates tov heat the latter and means for controlling the heating apparatus in accordance with temperature requirements.

4. An air conditioning apparatus comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, blower means within the casing for producing a circulation of air through said casing situated adjacent said inlet, a scrubbing and humidifying apparatus intercepting the path of said air, said apparatus including a series of open-faced water tubes and means for circulating water through the tubes for surface contact with the air, an eliminator disposed to the rear of the water tubes and in the path of the air leaving said tubes, said eliminator lincluding a, plurality of evaporating and cleaning plates adapted to be impinged by the air passing through the casing, and a heating apparatus within the casing and to the rear of the elimiator to heat said evaporating and cleaning plates and the air after it has passed thereover and prior to its discharge through said outlet, means for controlling said blower and heating apparatus in accordance with tempera-ture requirements andmeans for controlling said water circulating means in accordance with humidity requirements.

' ROBERTA. BRAND. 

